The Guadix Project is a social project run by the Teresian Association in Argentina, and it celebrated 20 years of existence on 3 and 4 of November this year.
From 2003 until 2023 we have had 20 years of uninterrupted presence and permanence accompanying the families of Barranca Yaco, a neighbourhood that is extremely vulnerable on the outskirts of Cordoba in Argentina. These 20 years were inspired and driven by Poveda's Guadix and by his vision and way of doing things.
Commitment to change
We are gratefully celebrating the work and commitment to bring about change that was undertaken by so many people. They accompanied the children and the women of the community for all those years without ever giving up. They were teachers, volunteers, institutions that helped and supported schooling, workshops for the children and the women (cooking, hairdressing, painting, theatre, dance...) and healthcare.
The celebration was an opportunity to thank and meet with people who have been part of the project from the beginning lending their support to the learning experiences. Together with the families in the neighbourhood, we assessed the Guadix Centre as being a “home for all, ‘the Little House, the Support, the Little School, etc.” The children and mothers present said that it is a place to learn, play, grow, help each other, allow ourselves to be helped, and to feel valued and loved.
Magic and celebration
The programme included a performance by a magician who delighted both children and adults. There was also a children's orchestra from a neighbouring neighbourhood. It was directed by a woman who had participated in the workshops for women in the early years of the project.
Appreciation and thanks were given to people from the community who collaborated during those 20 years in the neighbourhood and to various people and institutions who helped to sustain the life of the TA’s “Guadix Cordobés”.
A dream planted
The celebration with the families continued with a religious ceremony of thanksgiving. It was attended by the team of teachers, the coordinators, the team of the Nuevamérica Foundation, members of the TA and volunteers who collaborate in the activities.
Guadix is the dream we planted of turning around a situation where there was a lack of opportunities for children and women. We wanted to accompany and transform their lives and to work for their education, health and the defence of their right to a more dignified life.
We know that this situation of injustice and lack of opportunities can change. A better life is possible if we dream together with others and work together to build people up in the style of Poveda.
Our celebration of 20 years of presence provided an opportunity to renew our commitment to continue on our path with the community of Barranca Yaco, with the children and women, with confidence and a lot of hope. Happy birthday, Centro Guadix!
Marta Olmedo, TA Argentina.
TA Translators Team.
Published in News